To be a woman who makes “Pretty” moves you must first understand the gift you hold within and next understand how to utilize it.
Ana is a Certified Virtual Personal Stylist and Visual Brand Consultant, creator of the Feng Shui Apparel™️ System, working with high-achieving women, empaths, and mavericks who are ready to upgrade their success through their signature style. As a miserable grey mouse turned into a desirable woman, she understands the immense potential of visual appearance to change people’s destinies. As a writer and host of the Style with Ana podcast, Ana is redefining style and elevating fashion through innovation, inclusion, sustainability, and reconstruction of the many levels of women’s identity. If the traditional personal styling model is a straight line from the inside out, Ana’s approach is a sphere.
Outside of entrepreneurship and business, Who is Ana in five words?
Ambitious maverick empath mom and friend
What inspired your start in visual branding?
I was a miserable grey mouse that turned into a desirable woman after I had experienced the immense power of visual appearance. I wanted to share my experience with other women, inspiring them to see there is a light at the end of the tunnel no matter how dark it may be. We only have one body, we better love it because we are not going to receive a different one. But you can do so much more with it than you think. I wanted to obtain some kind of certification for the work I was going to do. I looked up different certification programs for image consultants and I finally decided to go with Visual Branding because it was so different, exotic, and never heard of before. I’m one of the first 32 Certified Visual Brand Consultants in the world. And I am so glad I took that certification. It is something special and helps me a lot with my mission today.
You have worked many years with personal styling and branding, what lessons have you been able to carry throughout your entrepreneurial journey?
When I started, women in my home country Slovenia didn’t value themselves to the point that they would consider their appearance as something important or even crucial for keeping healthy relationships, especially with their significant others. There have been some shifts but I believe it still is a major issue. Their mentality was brain over beauty: “If you love me, you will love me no matter how I look.” That may be true, but then they complain because their man looks at other women who are dressed nicely. I felt a lot of resistance, but shy curiosity on the other hand as well. Every woman, in her essence, wants to be treated like a queen, but not all of them want to look or behave like one. Dressing the way you want to be treated is my advice. This is why I developed a simple, super-effective system over the years that builds on elegant comfort, and versatility while saving time and space. The other thing is branding. Find your flaw, turn it into your asset and you will win any competition. I’ve also been highly invested in the environmental dilemma of the fashion industry and am now looking into ways how to push it forward because the industry has been running in circles for far too long. The fashion industry is the 2nd largest pollutant in the world and while fast fashion companies have developed some sustainability and circular projects, I don’t believe this is the ultimate solution. I am happy to say that more and more experts agree with me which was clearly evident at this year’s 7th Fashinnovation event that took place in September – the world’s largest event on fashion innovation. I believe the solution to the fashion industry dilemma lies in the hands of personal stylists and I am not afraid to take over this responsibility.
Tell us about Choose your signature style?
Choose your signature style is the brand I created for my personal styling and visual branding programs and courses. The emphasis is on choice as the symbol of freedom and the signature as the symbol of uniqueness true to every individual. Many women believe they are stuck with their bodies. That they don’t have a choice. “When I will lose so and so many pounds, I will be able to…” That’s not completely true. Choosing colors, shades, patterns, shapes, and materials, all have an immense impact on us physically, emotionally, and spiritually. While ensuring more energy, well-being, and alignment with our essence, a harmonized attraction potential helps us reach our business and relationship goals much faster and easier. But not just on the wearer, it works on other people as well. The way our life is going to be is our choice. This is the main message of the brand.
Can you share your 2022 journey with us?
Oh, it’s the journey of implementation. At the beginning of the year, I worked on my iconic messaging, vision, and branding. I also worked on the challenge that I took in December to create my own podcast. Mid-summer a surprise hit me. I found out my maternity leave was ending with no option of prolongation. I realized I didn’t have much time to do things slowly anymore. I have two children under the age of 3, one of them being special needs. I needed to act quickly, efficiently, and wisely. I got a brilliant idea to create a Masterclass on how to become Zoom-ready in under 5 minutes. It came from a man. (laughs) This is something I really excel at due to my family situation. With the limited time available, I created that Masterclass within a week. Due to technical issues, it took me another week to edit the replay… (laughs). I wanted to create a beautiful, perfect experience and used novelty apps for that. I remember how I struggled with uploading the videos to the platforms. It was so frustrating. After a week I finally realized the file size was not the issue, but the resolution apparently has an impact on uploading times as well. Maybe this will help the readers because nobody mentioned this to me when I was asking for help. During the whole year, I was also networking on social media and creating solid relationships with people that I resonated with. I also created a program for two models for my new website. True validation of my work came when they turned to my loyal brand ambassadors. I am so thankful to these ladies.
How did your business excel, what major moves are you proud of?
I am super proud of my brand new podcast Style with Ana. It is a one-of-a-kind style podcast available on all major platforms. My carefully curated guests and I talk about how our uniqueness can help us reach long-lasting stellar results in business and life. A big recognition came when many of my guests confirmed their episode with me was an unforgettable experience.
What is next for you in 2023?
I plan to continue expanding my carefully curated guest list for the podcast. I was told by one of the guests that I am able to bring substance into fashion and style. I’m a natural visionary that is highly ambitious. Every time I go on air, I strive to lift the quality bar just a little bit higher. So be prepared to listen to high-quality conversations and I invite all readers to join us in this conversation. I integrated a novelty app for that in the show notes as well. And I would also like to warmly invite the readers to apply to be considered as a guest on the Style with Ana podcast. As already mentioned, you can expect an unforgettable experience.
What is your definition of a Pretty Woman Who Hustles?
If I can merge both worlds, I would say money is beauty and work symbolizes freedom. But above all, when we work, we feel useful. And when we feel useful, we have a purpose. A person with a purpose will shine in all her beauty beyond outside standards. Always.
Connect with Ana Online:
www.chooseyoursignaturestyle.com
Join us daily as we feature 22 Women Making Major Moves in 2022, Read Part 4 of The Special Edition issue here:
PRETTY WOMEN HUSTLE ONLINE 